A Guide through the Different types of Medical Diet

Diet is the total amount of food eaten by a person. Personal Habits and Cultural preferences prevent a person from consuming different cuisines such as pork, beef, chicken and so on and so forth. Similarly, as you undergo surgery, there are certain restrictions regarding said condition. For instance, a person who just went on a major surgery cannot simply eat a McDonald's happy meal. There are restrictions and indications as to why these diets are made.

Its purpose is to rest the gastrointestinal tract and maintain fluid balance.

Indication:

• difficulty swallowing
• certain diagnostic tests to reduce fecal matter
• immediate postoperative period

Foods allowed: "SEE THROUGH FOODS" such as water, broth, jelly, apple juice, clear carbonated beverages, and ice pops

Note: This diet is not nutritionally adequate

Used as a transition diet between clear liquid and soft diet; Short term

Foods allowed: Clear liquids, milk and milk products, all fruit juices, cooked and strained cereals

Note: Can be Nutritionally Adequate

Used as a transition between full liquid and regular diet

Indications:

• Postoperatively
• Mild GI disturbances
• Chewing difficulties from lack of teeth or oral surgery

Foods allowed: Low fiber foods, Pureed vegetables, Cooked eggs (not fried), tender meat, potatoes, cooked fruit

Note: Nutritionally Adequate

Promotes healing of gastric mucosa and is chemically and mechanically non-stimualting

Foods allowed: Soft diet without spices

Residue is the indigestible substance left in the digestive tract after food has been digested.

Indications:

• Colon, Rectal, or Perineal surgery
• Diagnostic exams
• Bowel Inflammatory Disease

Note: Teach the client to AVOID foods high in fiber, foods having skins and seeds, and milk and milk products

Purpose is to eliminate gluten (protein) from the diet.

Indications:

• Malabsorption syndromes

Foods to ELIMINATE: Barley, Rye, Oat, Wheat, Cream sauces, Breaded foods, Cakes, Muffins, and Breads

Foods Allowed: Corn, Rice, and Soy flour

Purpose is to control the intake of phenylalanine, an amino acid that cannot be metabolized.

It will be prescribed until atleast age 6 to prevent brain damage and mental retardation.

Foods to AVOID: bread, meat, fish, poultry, cheese, legumes, nuts, and eggs

GIVE Lofenalac Formula

Teach family to use low-protein flour for baking

Sugar substitutes such as Nutrasweet contain phenylalanine and must NOT be used.

Indicated for gout, uric acid kidney stones and uric acid retention.

Foods to AVOID: organ meats, fish, lobster, dried peas, beans, nuts, oatmeal, and whole wheat

Purpose is to limit Ammonium production.

Indicated for patients with Renal and/or Liver Failure

Limit meat, eggs, and milk product and encourage CARBOHYDRATE SUPPLEMENTS WITH ESSENTIAL AMINO ACID.

Purpose is to support protein synthesis

Indication:

• Undernutrition
• Burns
• Nephrotic syndrome

Encourage meat, fish, and dairy products

Purpose is to decrase risk for CAD (Coronary Artery Diseases). This diet is indicated for patients with Cardiovascular disease as well as patients with Diabetes Mellitus.

Limit fried foods, eggyolk, Shell fish, liver, pork

Encourage to eat more on broild or steamed food, fruits, vegetables, chicken meat, vegetable oils

Indicated for diabetes mellitus patients. Its main prupose is to control plasma glucose levels.

Principles:

• Each meat should contain carbohydrates, fat, and protein.
• Avoid skipping or delaying meals.
• Frequent small meals.
• Unplanned Activity

Its purpose is to decrease sodium/fluid load and is idicated for patients with Hypertention and Edema due to CHF, Liver Cirhosis, PIH, Nephrotic syndrome.

Limit canned foods, salted food, smoked meat, ham, bacon, sauce and encourage more on salt substitutes.

This is to avoidpotassium depletion.

Indication:

• Thiazide Diuretics
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis
• Chronic vomitting

Encourage; Bananas, Prunes, Avocado, Soy beans